Heating technology has come on in leaps and bounds. Not only could upgrading your heating system result in more efficiency, but it could also prevent you from burning through as much money. Here are just a few tips for improving your home’s heating.
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Go Sustainable
It’s possible to break away from mains gas and use self-sufficient sustainable methods. Solar heating is one way of doing this – this involves using electricity generated from solar panels to supply heating to your home. Installing solar panels can be costly, but in the long run, you’ll make up the money by never having to pay a heating bill again. Biomass heating meanwhile is another solution – pellet stoves are a good example of this. The best pellet stoves are quiet, efficient, and leave little ash. It’s worth doing your research to find the most suitable pellet stove for your home. Read more about what Douglas Healy has to say about sustainable energy.
Incorporate Smart Technology
Upgrading to smart central heating can have lots of advantages. Such a heating system can be controlled using your phone – this could allow you to turn on the heating on your way back from work so that you arrive in a warm house, or contrastingly it could allow you to adjust the heating in the middle of the night without having to get out of bed to use the thermostat. You can also look to get a heating and air company to install your air conditioning that offers remote thermostats so you can change it to suit you wherever you are and use your iPhone or tablet to control it as well. Smart meters can also visually display the energy you’re using as you’re using it. This information is then sent to your energy providers so that you’re only ever getting billed for what you’re using. Smart meters can make people more aware of the amount of heating they’re using and have been shown to save people money as a result.
Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
Old-fashioned water heating systems keep hot water stored in a tank. Tankless water heaters can be a lot less costly as they only heat up the water in the pipe when a hot water faucet is in use. They can also allow a constant supply of hot water making them more efficient. Tankless water systems cost a fair amount to install, but they’re investments worth making.
Upgrade Your Radiators
Radiators ideally should be replaced every fifteen years. This is because the inside of radiators corrodes over time resulting in a build-up of metal sludge which makes them less effective at providing heating. Switching to new radiators could help to heat up your home more quickly and reduce your heating bill as a result. Whilst upgrading your radiators, you can also consider installing features such as underfloor heating or heat towel rails in the bathroom to provide extra heating.
Consider Improving Your Oven
Cooking costs make up a large part of our heating bills and there are similarly a lot of factors to consider when it comes to efficiency. Gas ovens are the most popular – they cost less to run than electric ovens, although they don’t provide the safety and even heat distribution that electric ovens do. Modern gas and electric ovens are both more economical and advanced. Electric ovens are now starting to incorporate all kinds of features such as cooking settings based on meals and customizable hobs. Replacing an oven is a big job, but could be worthwhile is you’re passionate about your cooking and currently have an old stove.
Improve Your Home’s Insulation
Insulation can help to trap heat in, preventing you from needing to switch on the heating as often. There is a multitude of ways to heat your home, all of which can be costly initially but good investments in the long run. Loft insulation is one of the most effective forms of insulation – heat naturally rises and escapes through the roof, and insulating this part of your property can, therefore, prevent this heat loss. You can install your own loft insulation using thermal wool or hire a professional to install spray-on insulation foam. Double glazing is another means of providing insulation – this can prevent heat from being lost through windows by providing two layers of glass and an air pocket in between. Other forms of insulation include cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation, and pipe insulation. There are also less permanent features that could be better suited to a rented property such as window insulating film and draft protectors beneath doors.
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